|
The results
of the 2012 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles have just been released.
Once again, the competition has revealed critical insight into the latest
trends within the world of wine, providing a snapshot of the global
industry that is updated annually.
A total 8,397
wines and spirits from 52 producer countries competed in Portugal from May
4-6 before a hand-picked selection of some of the world's
foremost tasters. Sommeliers, wine buyers, importers, journalists and wine
writers – in all
320 wines and spirits tasters representing 40 nationalities –
gathered for 3 days to judge this year's entries. The diverse range both of
entries and backgrounds of the tasters themselves is one of the archetypal
features of a competition that in just a few years has emerged as a world
wine and spirits 'tasting championship'.
To provide consumers with a reliable buying cue, a total 2,435 medals were
awarded this year and preliminary results indicate that
France retains its leadership position with 670 medals, followed by Spain
(461 medals), Portugal (297 medals), Italy (257), Chile (160), South Africa
(98), Switzerland (65) and Australia (57). Portugal – this year's host
country – made significant strides in 2012 both in terms of volume and
quality of entries (925 entries, up 44 percent).
As is customary, less
than 1 percent of the 8,397 entries were awarded a Grand Gold Medal.
As usual, Spain leads the way in this prestigious category with 21 of the
highly coveted medals (followed by France with 15 medals and Italy and
Portugal, joint third with 10).
The
20th Concours Mondial de Bruxelles will take place on May 10, 11 and 12 in
Bratislava (Slovakia), The Spirits Selection will take place shortly
afterwards – on June 7, 8 and 9 June, 2013 – in Taiwan.
|
